The SEC today settled civil charges against Jacob “Kobi” Alexander, the co-founder and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comverse Technology, Inc., arising out of his role in the company’s long-running stock options backdating scheme. Shortly before the SEC filed its complaint in 2006, Alexander fled to Namibia, where he currently resides and is fighting extradition to the United States to face criminal charges.

Under the terms of the settlement, Alexander will pay $47.6 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and a $6 million penalty, which is one of the largest penalties ever imposed in a stock options backdating case. Alexander will also be permanently enjoined from violating the antifraud and related provisions of the federal securities laws and will be permanently barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company.

Separately, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York today filed a stipulation of settlement of their civil forfeiture action against certain of Mr. Alexander’s assets This settlement is subject’s the court’s approval.